Newbie editing question...

Stiffler wrote on 3/19/2002, 12:50 AM
I just upgraded to Vegas tonight from VF. Now I have a 100,000 piece puzzle to put together.

I'm trying to edit a video from 3 camera angles with a lot of cuts. So I have all 3 tracks in front of me. I'd like to just click on one of the tracks and preview it, but it only plays the top one.

What is the best way to lay out my tracks? Edit the 3 and use one track for the 'master'? I have to split all the clips to cut out footage that I don't want.

Just looking for some advice from someone who may be somewhat seasoned with Vegas.

Thanks for your help.

Comments

Cheesehole wrote on 3/19/2002, 1:13 AM
>I'm trying to edit a video from 3 camera angles with a lot of cuts. So I have all 3 tracks in front of me. I'd like to just click on one of the tracks and preview it, but it only plays the top one.

you can use the mute button on the track header (circle with cross in left section of Vegas with the sliders), or turn down it's level slider to reveal tracks underneath.

I'll let someone else chime in on the 3 camera shoot. I would try to keep the 3 in sync for now, especially if you took measures during the shoot to keep the 3 tapes synchronized. you can remove the clips you don't need by first splitting them into bits with the S key, and then deleting them. the rest of your tracks should stay put, as long as you don't make a time selection and hit delete. you'll end up with the three tracks still synched, but with all the junk removed.

maybe someone else has a slick method of going back and forth between the 3 cameras?

wait here's a different idea instead of deleting clips.

first, insert a video track at the top of your project. this new track will contain your whole video in the end. also insert an audio track if you need to.

now go through your project and just move the footage you want to the top track. you can drag with the mouse, or select a clip and use the up/down keys on your NUM PAD to move the event to the top track.

that what you're looking for?
Stiffler wrote on 3/19/2002, 2:04 AM
Thanks, Cheesehole.

I just figured out the mute thing. And now I've got all 3 in sync.

BTW, this is a music video. Their tempo is different on the video from the audio (from a CD), but I can work with that.

Quote: first, insert a video track at the top of your project.

Great advice, is the top track supposed to be used like that? When I was messing around with the trial version, it seemed to mix the 2 video tracks.

swarrine wrote on 3/19/2002, 5:57 AM
One way to do a 3 track edit would be to play all three tracks at the same time, just down size them using track motion so you can view them all.

OK, now you can see all tracks, just run through it. You can either stop and split or let it play and hit your M key to mark where you want your cuts to be.

After you have marked, click on each marker hit S to split.

Now create a 4th video track and drag the splits from either Cam 1, 2 or 3 to the 4th track. You can tweak it from there.
jimcho wrote on 3/19/2002, 6:10 AM
Stiffler,

Go here for a step-by-step of what swarrine was saying.
Caruso wrote on 3/19/2002, 6:54 PM
Cheeshole's suggestion to use the top video track as the destination to which you "deposit" all your takes is the way I work, although, Vegas will let you place your good track anywhere you like. I find that I'm best able to achieve alignment of the three source video tracks by syncing their audio tracks (but audio is my strong suit . . . you may prefer to align visually).

Once aligned, I will define desired clips by dropping a marker at the in/out points. Those same markers serve as snap points in the "good" track so that I can cut from the three source tracks and paste to the destination track and still maintain sync.

Once you get the hang of it, it's quite easy to do. I usually designate one of my cams as the master for audio purposes, and make certain that that audio runs uninterupted throughout my project. It sounds as though you are using an off camera source for your audio, so this last bit may not be applicable to your project.

Most of my video is of live concert performances. When editing a three camera setup, I love to use long crossfades from one cam to the next so that you see the subject simultaneously from two different angles. Gives a nice effect . . . one that seems to impress my "viewers" to no end. A seasoned eye might find my stuff trite, but I enjoy putting it together, and everyone I show it to seems impressed. That's enough to keep me coming back.

Have fun and good luck.

Caruso
Stiffler wrote on 3/20/2002, 2:19 AM
cheesehole, swarrine, jimcho, Caruso...

Thanks for the posts, I printed them and will use as a reference. I've got some playing to do now.